Corpus-assisted metaphor analysis of selected YouTube Islamic motivational talks

Metaphors play a central role in religious discourse, functioning as tools to simplify abstract theological ideas and connect with audiences. This study investigates the metaphorical language used in selected Islamic motivational YouTube talks by Yasmin Mogahed (YM corpus) and Nouman Ali Khan (NAK corpus), with a focus on metaphorical keywords, categories, and similarities and differences in use. It addresses key gaps in metaphor research, including the over-reliance on written texts, the tendency to overlook spoken religious discourse in metaphor analysis, and the limited application of corpus-based methods in conjunction with Conceptual Metaphor Theory (CMT). Using a corpus-assisted approach, this study applied keyword, collocation, and concordance analyses via WordSmith Tools 8.0, followed by conceptual mapping based on CMT. Findings reveal that the YM corpus was characterised by noun- and adjective-based metaphorical language, while the NAK corpus displayed a broader grammatical range, incorporating verbs, nouns, and prepositions. Conceptually, both corpora predominantly employed Structural metaphors but with distinct emphases: the YM corpus frequently used BUILDING metaphors to frame faith and the heart, while the NAK corpus relied on JOURNEY metaphors to depict religious progress and divine guidance. LIGHT metaphors, central to Qur’anic discourse, appeared prominently in both corpora, highlighting their conventional role in Islamic rhetoric. The YM corpus displayed broader metaphorical variety, including HUMAN/LIVING BEING, MACHINE/COMPUTER, OBJECT, GAS, DEITY/MASTER, and SPORTS, whereas the NAK corpus selectively employed HEALTH, EDUCATION, and WEATHER metaphors. Orientational metaphors were notably absent in the YM corpus and only minimally present in the NAK corpus, suggesting a shared preference for concrete, tangible imagery over spatial orientations in spoken Islamic discourse. Methodologically, the study demonstrates the value of integrating corpus-based tools with CMT in the analysis of spoken religious genres. Theoretically, it contributes to understanding how universal metaphor patterns intersect with speaker-specific rhetorical choices. Contextually, it documents how metaphors operate within contemporary Islamic motivational talks, showing how figurative language serves as a bridge between abstract theology and lived faith. Future research could expand this framework to a wider range of speakers and contexts, offering deeper insights into the role of metaphor in religious communication.